Book: This Damsel is not in Distress by Tee Harlowe
Reviewed by Michele (spicysithreads)
Thank you to the author and to The Nerd Fam for the free ebook and audiobook. All opinions are my own.
I was able to tandem-read this with the ebook and audiobook. It has been a fun way for me to read lately and it helps me retain a lot more of the book! I absolutely LOVED this story! I ARC read a LOT, and most of what I read is romantasy/fantasy and it's dark. This was like opening the curtains and windows on a spring morning! It was so fun to read! It was a fairytale!
Niamh leaves her home after all her family and friends have been killed. She stumbles upon a magical tower that provides her with shelter, warmth, protection, and food. Two men arrive to "rescue" her and they wind up locked out of the tower. Rafe is a grumpy guard who wants Niamh to marry his brother the prince to fulfill a prophecy. The castle is sentient and accepts its inhabitants with a tattoo of a key. Niamh needs a key if she's going to stay and become queen.
The characters are so fun and so well written. Morton is my favorite! He is 100% the best part of this book! The world-building is beautiful and imaginative in the very best ways. I loved that the castle was sentient. It made it fun to read about it like it was a person!
This was the cutest, coziest, romantasy I have read in quite a while. The audiobook was outstanding as well. The narration was great and I loved that it was dual. They captured the characters greatly and with a lot of depth.
If you need a cute and cozy read, this is the one! I can't wait for the next in the series!!
Tropes:
Grumpy/Sunshine (he is grumpy, but she nicknames him Sunshine)
Animal companions
Bodyguard
Sentient Castle
Cozy Romantasy
4.5 / 5 stars
3 / 5 spice